Hearing loss can have genetic factors. Research has identified over 100 genes that can cause hearing loss when abnormal. Genetic hearing loss is passed down from parents to children if the child inherits the abnormal gene. There are different types of genetic hearing loss that can affect the outer or inner ear and be identified before or after speech is learned. While a parent may have hearing loss, it does not always mean the child will too, as the genes are often recessive and a normal gene can be inherited from the other parent. Genetic testing is available for those suspecting a genetic cause.

1. Audiology & Hearing Aids Of The Woodlands| (281) 882-3797| http://woodlandshearingaids.com
Discover more great content here:
https://twitter.com/woodlandshearin
http://www.youtube.com/woodlandshearing
https://www.facebook.com/montgomeryhearingaids
http://www.pinterest.com/woodlandshearin
Is Hearing Loss Inherited?
Everybody knows that noise, injuries and certain illnesses can result in hearing loss, but are
there also genetic factors involved? The answer to this question is “Yes.” When you look at the
data, genetic causes are actually the main category of hearing losses. Additionally, hearing loss
is considered the most common birth defect in the developed world.
DNA, genes and inheritance. They way your
body looks and functions is governed by the
genetic code of your DNA – your genes.
Researchers have identified more than 100
genes that can negatively affect hearing. If one
or even more of these genes is changed or
missing the effect is often hearing loss. When
an individual carrying these abnormal gene
sequences has a child, the abnormal gene or
genes can be passed on to the child too.
Different kinds of genetic hearing loss. Some varieties of genetic hearing loss can visibly affect
the outer ear, while other varieties just influence hearing in the inner ear. Sensorineural,
conductive or mixed hearing loss may result. Besides that, some genes result in hearing loss
before a child learns to speak (prelingual hearing loss), and other genes cause hearing
impairments that show up after speech is learned (postlingual hearing loss). Some of the
genetic conditions are prevalent enough to have names. For example, Usher syndrome affects
about 50 % of the deaf-blind population. Waardenburg syndrome is another prevalent disorder
that affects hearing in the inner ear but also causes pale skin, a streak of white hair, and light or
multi-colored eyes.
Is there any good news? Just because a parent has hearing loss, doesn’t inevitably mean the
child will have hearing loss too. The genes that contribute to hearing loss are usually recessive
and therefore often don’t result in any outward symptoms because the child has inherited a
normal copy from the other parent. Even when both parents suffer from hearing loss, their
children may still not be affected because different genes may be responsible in each parent.
Genetic testing is available for those who suspect hearing loss is in their genes.